The Love Dare: Day 39
Love never fails. --1 Corinthians 13:8
"Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it." (The Love Dare, p. 194)
The Love Dare: Day 38
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. --Psalm 37:4
"Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can." (The Love Dare, p. 189)
The Love Dare: Day 37
If two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, if shall be done for them by My Father. --Matthew 18:19
"Ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it's in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don't forget to thank Him for His provision and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this, resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself." (The Love Dare, p. 184)
The Love Dare: Day 36
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. --Psalm 119:105
"Commit to reading the Bible every day. Find a devotional book or other resource that will give you some guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily Bible reading with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to its guidance and start building on the Rock." (The Love Dare, p. 179)
The Love Dare: Day 35
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. --Proverbs 15:22 NIV
"Find a marriage mentor--someone who is a strong Christian and who will be honest and loving with you. If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During this process, ask God to direct your decision and discernment." (The Love Dare, p. 174)
The Love Dare: Day 34
[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth. --1 Corinthians 13:6
"Find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today." (The Love Dare, p. 169)
The Love Dare: Day 33
If two lie down together they keep warm but how can one be warm alone?--Ecclesiastes 4:11
"Recognize that your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions, and that you need their perspective and counsel. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you." (The Love Dare, p. 164)
The Love Dare: Day 32 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. --1 Corinthians 7:3
"If at all possible, try to initiate sex with your husband or wife today. Do this in a way that honors what your spouse has told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to make this enjoyable for both of you as well as a path to greater intimacy." (The Love Dare, p. 159)
The Love Dare: Day 31
A man shall leave his father and his mother, and he joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. --Genesis 2:24
"Is there a 'leaving' issue you haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship." (The Love Dare, p. 154)
The Love Dare: Day 30
Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. --John 17:11
"Isolate one area of division in your marriage, and look on today as a fresh opportunity to pray about it. Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your own heart that is threatening oneness with your spouse. Pray that He would do the same for them. And if appropriate, discuss this matter openly, seeking God for unity." (The Love Dare, p. 149)
The Love Dare: Day 29
Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men. --Ephesians 6:7 HCSB
Before you see your spouse again today, pray for them by name and for their needs. Whether it comes easy for you or not, say 'I love you,' then express love to them in some tangible way. Go to God in prayer again, thanking Him for giving you the privilege of loving this one special person--unconditionally, the way He loves both of you." (The Love Dare, p. 144)
The Love Dare: Day 28
He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. --1 John 3:16 HCSB
"What is one of the greatest needs in your spouse's life right now? Is there a need you could lift from their shoulders today by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? Whether the need is big or small, purpos to do what you can to meet the need." (The Love Dare, p. 139)
The Love Dare: Day 27
Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. --Psalm 25:20
"Eliminate the poison of unrealistic expectations in your home. Think of one area where your spous has told you you're expecting too much, and tell them you're sorry for being so hard of them about it. Promise them you'll seek to understand, and assure them of your unconditional love." (The Love Dare, p. 134)
The Love Dare: Day 26
When you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. --Romans 2:1 HCSB
"Take time to pray through your ares of wrongdoing. Ask for God's forgiveness, then humble yourself enough to admit them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and truthfully. Ask your spouse for forgiveness as well. No matter how they respond, make sure you cover your responsibility in love. Even if they respond with criticism, accept it by receiving it a counsel." (The Love Dare, p. 129)
The Love Dare: Day 25
What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ.--2 Corinthians 2:10
"Whatever you haven't forgiven in your mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as we ask Jesus to 'forgive us our debts' each day, we must ask Him to help us 'forgive our debtors' each day as well. Unforgiveness has been keeping you and your spouse in prison too long. Say from your heart, 'I choose to forgive.'" (The Love Dare, p. 123)
The Love Dare: Day 24
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever--1 John 2:17
"End it now. Identify every object of lust in your life and remove it. Single out every lie you've swallowed in pursuing forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust cannot be allowed to live in a back bedroom. It must be filled and destroyed--today--and replaced with the sure promises of God and a heart filled with His perfect love." (The Love Dare, p. 119)
The Love Dare: Day 23
[Love] always protects.--1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
"Remove anything that is hindering your relationship, any addiction or influence that's stealing your affections and turning your heart away from your spouse." (The Love Dare, p. 114)
The Love Dare: Day 22
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD--Hosea 2:20
"Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return.'" (The Love Dare, p. 109)
Folks,
If you're following The Love Dare, please hang on. . . I'm a bit behind in everything right now. I promise, I'll get up to date and post soon.
And I also have some other personal things to update. Just don't have the time right now. Catch you all later.
Much love,
~Cheryl
The Love Dare: Day 18
This is a entry from last year that I'm posting again for my friend Mandy and others that may need it right now.
Keep moving forward toward the light,
~Cheryl
Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. ~Micah 7:8
As you might know I've walked through my own valley lately. So, this daily message from Joel Olsteen Ministries really spoke to me. I hope it provides some strength and direction for you too as you move forward to "your vision of life on the other side."
Much love,
~Cheryl
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“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NKJV).
Do you ever feel like you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death? During the tough times, it’s easy to get to discouraged. I love what it says in the verse, “though I walk through…” No matter what you are facing today, know this: you are not alone, and you are just walking through. You don’t have to stop and live in the tough times. They are only temporary. I encourage you today; don’t allow fear to paralyze you in the middle of “the valley of the shadow of death.” Remember, God is with you. He is walking beside you. He is strengthening you. He is making a way of escape for you. He is lining up people and situations to bring you out of that tough place into a place of strength and victory. Don’t give up! Press on and walk through! Begin to get a vision of your life on the other side. See yourself more loving, more faithful, stronger and more blessed than ever before. As you keep moving forward and walking through, you will get to the other side and experience the victory God has in store for you!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Thank You for walking with me even in the hard times. I trust that You are taking me through my circumstances to a place of victory and strength. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
